This publication contains full papers of both oral and poster presentations of the symposium "Immobilized Cells: Basics and Applications" that was held in Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, 26-29 November 1995. This volume covers recent developments in the field of immobilization e.g.: new support materials, characterization of support materials, kinetic characterizations, dynamic modelling, bioreactor types, scale up and applications are also given. Applications in the field of medicine, fermentation technology, food technology and environmental technology are described. Guidelines for research with immobilized cells. Based on the scientific sessions a strategy of research and methods for characterization of immobilized cells, especially in view of applications are given.The goal was to relate basic research to applications and to extract guidelines for characterization of immobilized cells in view of process design and application from the contributions. The manuscripts presented in these proceedings give an extensive and recent overview of the research and applications of immobilized-cell technology.

Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology Biotechnology is divided into two volumes. The first volume is dedicated to fundamental aspects of cell immobilisation while the second volume deals with the diverse applications of this technology. The first volume, Fundamentals of Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology, comprises 26 chapters arranged into four parts: Materials for cell immobilisation/encapsulation, Methods and technologies for cell immobilisation/encapsulation, Carrier characterisation and bioreactor design, and Physiology of immobilised cells: techniques and mathematical modelling.

The latest volume in the Advanced Biotechnology series provides an overview of the main product classes and platform chemicals produced by biotechnological processes today, with applications in the food, healthcare and fine chemical industries. Alongside the production of drugs and flavors as well as amino acids, bio-based monomers and polymers and biofuels, basic insights are also given as to the biotechnological processes yielding such products and how large-scale production may be enabled and improved. Of interest to biotechnologists, bio and chemical engineers, as well as those working in the biotechnological, chemical, and food industries.

The concept of using encapsulation for the immunoprotection of transplanted cells was introduced for the first time in the 1960s. "[Microencapsulated cells] might be protected from destruction and from partici pation in immunological processes, while the enclosing membrane would be permeable to small molecules of specific cellular product which could then enter the general extracellular compartment of the recipient. For instance, encapsulated endocrine cells might survive and maintain an effective supply of hormone." (Chang, Ph. D. Thesis, McGill University, 1965; Chang et aI., Can J Physiol PharmacoI44:115-128, 1966). We asked Connaught Laboratories, Ltd., in Toronto to put this concept into practice. In 1980, Lim and Sun from Connaught Laboratories reported on the successful implantation of poly-I-Iysine-alginate encapsu lated rat islets into a foreign host. [Lim and Sun, Science 210:908-909, 1980]. Now many groups around the world are making tremendous progress in the encapsulation of a multitude of cell types. Kiihtreiber, Lanza, and Chick have invited many cell encapsulation groups from around the world to contribute to this book. The result is a very useful reference book in this rapidly growing area. With so many excellent au thors describing in detail the different areas of cell encapsulation, my role here will be to briefly discuss a few points.

Immobilized Microbial Cells, Volume 4 provides an overview of the methods of immobilization, applications, and ways of utilizing immobilized microbial cells and subcellular organelles and chloroplasts as biocatalysts. This volume is comprised of seven chapters. It begins with the historical background of immobilized cell research. Subsequent chapters focus on the methods of immobilization and applications of immobilized microbial cells, living cells, and organelles. The last two chapters discuss gas production of immobilized cells for energy generation and the chemical engineering analysis of immobilized-cell systems. The book will be of great use to chemists and chemical engineers.

The application of biotechnology in the food sciences has led to an increase in food production and enhanced the quality and safety of food. Food biotechnology is a dynamic field and the continual progress and advances have not only dealt effectively with issues related to food security but also augmented the nutritional and health aspects of food. Advances in Food Biotechnology provides an overview of the latest development in food biotechnology as it relates to safety, quality and security. The seven sections of the book are multidisciplinary and cover the following topics: GMOs and food security issues Applications of enzymes in food processing Fermentation technology Functional food and nutraceuticals Valorization of food waste Detection and control of foodborne pathogens Emerging techniques in food processing Bringing together experts drawn from around the world, the book is a comprehensive reference in the most progressive field of food science and will be of interest to professionals, scientists and academics in the food and biotech industries. The book will be highly resourceful to governmental research and regulatory agencies and those who are studying and teaching food biotechnology.